Affligem Blonde

Brewed by Brouwerij Affligem / De Smedt (Heineken)
Style: Belgian Ale
Opwijk, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

A bright golden brew with a light creamy head, tasting of honey malt with a mildly sour finish. The alcohol plays nicely in the palate, I must say.

330 cl bottle...pours golden yellow with a mostly diminishing, bubbly white head. Not much lacing noted...maybe a drizzle here or there. Aromas of sweat bread, yeast, mild citrus, maybe a hint of pitted fruits laced with caramel. Flavor was crisp and clean follwed by a touch of caramel sweetness, and a tingle of tart fruits. The palate was fizzy, medium bodied, with a slight bitter sweet finish. Very drinkable Belgian Ale, but nothing life changing.

Bottle. Golden pour wtih a fair sized white head. Big yeasty aroma with some grain as well. Flavor is a bit sweet but not cloying in the least. Spices, some banana and good malt. Pretty well done.

Bottle. Pours a murky gold color with a medium-sized creamy head. Aroma of spice, citrus, yeast and malt. Features a nice crisp palate that complements the fresh spicy flavors well. I tasted initial sweet flavors of fruit, malt and spice, followed by a bit of sugar and yeast. Finish is medium-length and slightly bready, but well balanced. Perhaps I drank this a bit too chilled, but I really couldn’t detect any of the 7% alcohol. This is a solid Belgian ale.

Orange tan with well spread cream layer. Intriguing aromatic blend of sweet malt, some fruit notes, some sugar, piquant yeast, and ordinary German hops. Smooth, but tangibly potent. Alcohol comes through along with some yeast and a considerable bready component. A sold, stylistically true, Belgian ale.

Bottle. Pours an off-golden colour, with bubbly, short-living head. Notes of malt, honey and yeast on the nose, and more hoppy on the palate. Decent blonde beer.

Bottle. Pours a gold with a slight haze and loads of little bubbles rising to the large and fluffy head. Aromas are subtle... grass, cloves and banana are the main things I’m picking out. Flavor has a definite sour funk to it that I didn’t see coming. It starts all sweet and quiet with some mild banana and clove yeastiness, but then takes a turn to slightly sour funkiness... all of this seems a little washed out and weak flavored.

Granted my fridge doesn’t wholly consist of Belgian or Belgian inspired beers, there are definitely more than less.
My Affligem Blonde came to me in a 12 oz bottle, pouring into my chalice with sleek hay-stack orange with a fine fluffy head at least an inch thick. She lingers for a moment, as if to say hello, and then fades into a distinct ring around my glass. A swirl and she comes to life again, leaving fine trails of brussels lace riding down the sides. A soft nose hints of fresh bread, spices such as coriander, and ripe banana. A wonderfully full body which, like most Belgians, has a pleasant airiness to it which gives it an effervescent affect. Belying the rich mouthfeel. A bready texture with a soothing palate of coriander, ripe bananas, and a hint of fuzzy fruit. Almost creamy in how it coats my mouth, bringing to mind the bananas and how when I eat one it leaves a soft film in my mouth. She has a pleasantly tart, almost acidic finish which leaves my mouth dry and puckering for me. Soft, sweet, and succulent up front with a hint of spice, finishing in a riveting flourish of sour yeast, bitter citrus, and spice.
An overall milder palate than some Belgian Blondes I have partaken of but overall rather enjoyable. I could almost drink the Affligem Blonde as a session beer that is how mellow and smooth her palate is to me.